Just now, when Kuchiki Rukia had been battling Äs Nödt, she successfully defeated him, but the fight left her completely exhausted and temporarily unable to use her Hakka no Togame again.
While Rukia was engaged with Äs Nödt, Abarai Renji was locked in combat with Mask de Masculine.
What drove Renji to despair was how easily he was defeated by Mask de Masculine without being able to activate his Bankai.
Falling onto the rain-soaked ground, Renji realized once again that his strength was far from enough.
Moments later, they both felt it-the disappearance of Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni's spiritual pressure.
Shortly afterward, from the direction of Yhwach's presence, came the distinct surge of Heilig Pfeil, followed by the violent explosion that shook Seireitei to its core.
Shock and grief spread across the battlefield.
Yet no matter how much anger or sorrow they felt, those emotions couldn't change anything.
Against overwhelming power, they were little better than prey before the predator.
On that day, the skies above the Soul Society remained heavy and gray.
It felt as though the heavens themselves were mourning.
Dark clouds pressed low over Seireitei, and the cold rain fell relentlessly, seeping deep into everyone's bones.
Four captains had their Bankai stolen. Kyoraku Shunsui was gravely injured and collapsed mid-battle.
Komamura Sajin, Hitsugaya Tōshirō, and Soi-Fon had also lost theirs.
Kuchiki Byakuya not only lost his Senbonzakura Kageyoshi, but he had also been critically wounded by its reclaimed power.
It was the greatest crisis the Soul Society had faced in over a thousand years.
Even back then, Yamamoto Genryūsai had survived and defeated Yhwach.
Now, however, even the unyielding Captain Commander had fallen.
Captain of the 1st Division-Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni-fallen in battle.
Captain of the 2nd Division-Soi-Fon-Bankai stolen.
Captain of the 6th Division-Kuchiki Byakuya-critically injured.
Captain of the 7th Division-Komamura Sajin-Bankai stolen.
Captain of the 8th Division-Kyoraku Shunsui-downed and injured.
Captain of the 10th Division-Hitsugaya Tōshirō-Bankai stolen.
Captain of the 11th Division-Zaraki Kenpachi-defeated and unconscious.
Seven captains in total had lost their fighting ability.
Only five captains remained able to battle.
Among those five, Ūgaki Kensei, Ūzume Rōjūrō, and Ukitake Jūshirō were powerful but not suited to confront Yhwach's level of danger directly.
Hirako Shinji was capable but limited by the restrictions of his Bankai.
Only Kurotsuchi Mayuri stood as the one whose intellect and cunning could rival the enemy-yet even he had already fallen.
For the first time, despair settled across every heart in Seireitei.
It was as if the rain itself had begun soaking into their souls, freezing their resolve.
And then-a single name brought light back into that cold gloom.
Captain Yuta was on his way.
When that news spread, people couldn't stop the surge of emotion that followed.
Their fear gave way to anticipation, and eyes once weighed with exhaustion turned toward hope.
Those who knew even fragments of Yuta's strength felt their hearts lift with cautious relief.
Hirako Shinji exhaled softly, the corner of his mouth quirking upward.
"Does Yuta-taichō always have to make his entrance this late?"
Though his tone carried mild complaint, the faint smile on his face betrayed his relief.
Hinamori Momo folded her hands together before her chest as if praying.
"If Captain Yuta really comes... then he'll save us," she whispered, eyes shining with renewed belief.
---
Soi-Fon wiped the blood from the corner of her mouth in one smooth, determined motion, her usually cold eyes glinting with rare warmth.
"Yuta's here?" she asked, the tension in her shoulders easing slightly.
Though Yuta teased her mercilessly whenever they met, the past two years had softened her. Through his presence, her frostbitten walls had slowly started to melt.
To her, Yuta was the one person who had given her the courage to drop that cold outer shell and reveal her true self underneath.
---
Ūzume Rōjūrō gripped his Zanpakutō with one hand and grinned faintly.
"With Captain Yuta arriving, my guitar's already picking up inspiration," he said lightly. "Leave the battle's BGM to me."
---
After feeling the loss of Yamamoto Genryūsai's spiritual pressure, Kotetsu Isane from the Fourth Division nearly rushed outside in panic.
Before she could move, Unohana Retsu stopped her gently.
"Isane, stay here," she instructed calmly.
"Why, Taichō? The situation outside is critical. Why are we just standing by?" Isane asked anxiously.
Unohana's gaze lingered on the shattered vase by the window where white chrysanthemums had fallen among the broken glass.
"These are the Captain Commander's last orders… We are to remain here."
When the news of Yuta's approach reached them, Unohana allowed herself the faintest smile.
"Yuta… If it's you, perhaps you truly might be able to-"
---
Upon hearing that Yuta was coming, Kuchiki Rukia's eyes lit up immediately.
All the despair that had once dulled her gaze vanished, replaced by two shimmering points of light as bright as stars.
On the other side, Abarai Renji caught that change and found himself momentarily transfixed.
It had been years since he'd seen that expression from Rukia-an expression that had only returned after Yuta appeared in her life.
Since meeting him, the color had returned to her world.
Yuta… really was someone worthy of that kind of light from her eyes.
Renji clenched his fists unconsciously. Compared to him-a stray born in Rukongai-Rukia's graceful nobility had always felt unreachable.
Yet, even through that, he could accept one truth.
"Yuta-taichō… he's strong-really strong," Renji said softly. "He might be the only one who could change this situation.
It's just… Yhwach's strength-it's overwhelming. Even the Sōtaichō fell to him. Can Captain Yuta really win against someone like that? Damn it!"
His frustration spilled through his tightened fists as rain continued to fall around him.
---
Rukia soon arrived beside Kuchiki Byakuya. Medical Shinigami from the Fourth Division were already there, lifting his bloodied body carefully onto a stretcher.
Even as they did, Byakuya's hand refused to release Senbonzakura's hilt.
Lying pale and unmoving, he turned his head faintly toward Rukia and gave the smallest shake of his head-a wordless plea not to act recklessly.
Rukia froze at the sight. It was the first time she had seen her brother's eyes hold that kind of helpless expression-an exhaustion that bordered on surrender.
Renji looked on from beside her, stunned.
To him, Kuchiki Byakuya was someone who would rather die standing than ever lower his head in defeat.
And now, even that pillar of pride seemed to crumble beneath the storm that had claimed the Soul Society.
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